The evidence of that is sparse so far under second-year coach Bryan Harsin, but his Tigers took Penn State down to the wire last season before losing 28-20.
Nittany Lions coach James Franklin, formerly of Vanderbilt, is well-acquainted with playing in Southeastern Conference country. He said players were “looking at me like I’m crazy” when he piped in loud music during last week’s practice — ahead of a home game — without explaining that it was all about preparing for Jordan-Hare.
Harsin isn’t dropping hints on his quarterback plans for the game. But T.J. Finley has started the past two games and been a more effective passer while Robby Ashford has made some big plays as a runner. The formula hasn’t produced many passing yards, and both were intercepted last week.
The Tigers’ 190 passing yards per game ranks 103rd nationally. However, opposing offenses have averaged 264.5 yards per game through the air against Penn State, which ranks 100th in pass defense.
Auburn’s best offensive weapon is tailback Tank Bigsby. He has run for 198 yards and three touchdowns this season and gained 102 in last year’s meeting with Penn State.
Auburn’s wide receivers, other than Ja’Varrius Johnson, haven’t been productive in the first two games. Johnson has seven catches for 158 yards. But the other receivers have collectively caught eight passes for 107 yards without a touchdown.
Penn State, meanwhile, had 17 different players catch passes in a rout of Ohio.
Auburn’s Harsin and Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz worked together at Texas for two seasons. Harsin was co-offensive coordinator in 2011 and 2012. Diaz, a former Miami Hurrances head coach, ran the Longhorns’ defense from 2011-13.
The Hurricanes fired him last December after his third season.
“I felt for him and how Miami handled the whole situation,” Harsin said. “I didn’t like that. He was a guy I worked with, that I have respect for. But I know he’s a good coach. I know that he prepares his guys well and he cares from just working with him.”
Kickoff is at 2:30PM CDT Saturday on CBS 8.
(Copyright 2022 The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)
